Pakistan highlights its contributions to humanitarian causes at World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Pakistan has highlighted its
contributions to humanitarian causes and shared its perspective on global humanitarian issues at the first ever World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) being held in Istanbul.

Convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and hosted by Government of Turkey, the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) is taking place on May 23 and 24, a message received here Monday said.

A large number of world leaders including Heads of States and Governments, representatives of humanitarian and development agencies and civil society organizations have gathered in Istanbul for reaffirming commitment to humanitarian principles and crafting a response to the unprecedented humanitarian challenges confronting
the world today.

Pakistan’s delegation to the WHS is led by Lt Gen (R) Abdul
Qadir Baloch, Minister for States and Frontiers Regions (SAFRON).

Speaking to the Summit’s Plenary Session, the Minister
highlighted Pakistan’s immense contributions to the humanitarian causes as one of the world’s largest refugee hosting nations while demonstrating immense resilience in the face of recurring natural disasters.

In the context of prevention and resolution of conflicts, the
Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the purposes and objectives of the UN charter and stressed the importance of resolving longstanding disputes, particularly those on the agenda of United Nations Security Council.

The Minister also highlighted that Pakistan has been one of
the largest contributors of United Nations Peace Keeping troops, and Pakistan’s troops have sacrificed their lives for the cause of humanity.

The Minister urged the international community to ensure that protracted refugee situations were not neglected in the wake of new crises. He also stressed the urgent need to find equitable burden sharing mechanisms for refugee hosting nations. The Minister underscored the importance and centrality of the UNGA Resolution 46/182 of December 1991 for humanitarian action.

Abdul Qadir Baloch underscored Pakistan’s commitment to cope with the negative fall out of climate change and highlighted the need for availability of adequate finance as the ‘core of the battle’ against the adverse impacts of climate change.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Minister had a bilateral
meeting with the head of the UNHCR Delegation Deputy High
Commissioner Kelly T. Clements.

During the meeting, the Minister hoped for early voluntary
repatriation of Afghan refugees. Ms. Kelly Clements appreciated the Government and people of Pakistan for having generously hosted the world’s largest protracted refugee population for nearly four decades.

She assured that the UNHCR would continue supporting the
Government of Pakistan in its efforts hosting Afghan refugees and would urge for concerted support of the international community in this context.